With so much of our clothing being made overseas now it is difficult to imagine a thriving New Zealand clothing factory scene, especially lingerie. However, the New Zealand-made fashion scene has only become this way in the past fifty years and garments in Whangārei Museum's collection are evidence of the prolific clothing makers and, in particular, corset makers that recently supplied our nation.
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Most of the undergarments in our collection from the early 1900s were handmade. Then suddenly there is a rise in garments from the 1930s to 1970s with labels sporting the now rare "made in New Zealand". Foundation wear was quite complex in the early to mid-20th century and the many parts making up an everyday female ensemble required special design and craftsmanship followed by even better fitting. Radically changing materials and technology were demanded by consumers globally to make girdles, corsets, suspender belts, stockings and brassieres more comfortable and flexible but still supportive.
Some of the New Zealand brands in our collection include Canterbury, who also produced designs by Jockey, Daintee-Form Foundations, McCoy Garments, Mayes, Roslyn (Mosgiel), and Manawatu. In an April 1974 Farmers' catalogue a page advertising longline bras, pantie girdles and singlets includes the assertion "All clothing made in N.Z.", a statement that would be rare in Farmers' advertising now.